HRE Okays Rent Hikes

Rents for 1550 University affiliates living in Harvard- owned housing will go up July 1, but the increase will be the lowest in five years. Robert A. Silverman, Harvard Rest Estate's (HRE) vice president for marketing, said yesterday.

Announcement of the rent hike comes one week after President Bok endorsed the recommendations of an ad hoc committee established to examine HRE's affiliate housing. One recommendation was to maintain the University's current policy of renting to students, faculty, and staff at market rates.

The rent increases range from 8 percent to no increase in some apartments. The average rent will go up by 5 percent.

Silverman said the slowing inflation rate in the local rental housing market will allow HRE to cap the increases at 8 percent. In each of the last two years, rents in the 11 buildings HRE operates for affiliates have jumped by 22 percent.

The buildings affected by the increase are Beck with Circle, the Botanic Gardens, 29 Garden St., Haskins Hall. Holden Green, 65 Mt. Auburn St. Peabody Terrace, Shaler Lane, Soldiers Field Park, Terry Terrace and Walker St.